Alkali-treated bagasse

摘要

An alkali-treated bagasse is prepared by softening a bagasse with calcium oxide together with or without sodium hydroxide while preventing the substantial decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose. The product is used as a bagasse feed, and a fermented bagasse feed is prepared from the alkali-treated bagasse and a nutrient source. The products are also used as fertilizers and sweetening agents. Enterococcus Faecium HL-5 (FERM BP-4504) is claimed, being a bacterium capable of proliferating in an alkaline nutrient culture medium having a pH not less than 9.5.